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Phenylalanine Requirements in the Menstrual Phases

NCT07481201 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 15

Last updated 2026-05-07

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid that must be obtained through food. Current adult phenylalanine recommendation is based on male-conducted studies and set the same for females. These recommendations may not be appropriate for females, as they do not take into consideration the hormonal changes over the menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle is a rhythmic hormonal process split into two phases, with hormones regulating metabolism differently. The aim of this study is to find phenylalanine requirement for healthy, menstruating females. An innovative, non-invasive technique utilizing pre-determined diets, safe stable isotopes, and a simple breath collection method will be used. Previous work done by Elango Lab investigators has applied this method to investigate other amino acids in pregnant, non-pregnant, and lactating females as well as in children.

Conditions

  • Menstrual Cycle

Interventions

OTHER

Dietary Phenylalanine Intakes

Participants consume 8 hourly meals that contain the assigned test phenylalanine intake. Each meal will provide one-twelfth of the participants' daily energy requirements as estimated by 1.5 x Resting Energy Expenditure (REE) and adequate protein at 1.0 g.kg.d, to maintain a metabolic steady state. The meals are in the form of a crystalline amino acid protein shake, and protein-free cookies.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • University of British Columbia

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
NA
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Model
SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age
20 Years
Max Age
35 Years
Sex
FEMALE
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-05-01
Primary Completion
2028-12-01
Completion
2028-12-01

Countries

  • Canada

Study Locations

More Related Trials

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07481201 on ClinicalTrials.gov